Tilray names several former politicians to international advisory board

Pot producer Tilray Inc. has added some political heft to its international advisory board, including former foreign affairs ministers from around the world and former chairmen of the U.S. Democratic and Republican national committees.

The inaugural members announced by the cannabis grower include former Canadian minister of foreign affairs Lloyd Axworthy as well as Australia’s former minister Alexander John Gosse Downer and Germany’s Joschka Fischer.

The Nanaimo, B.C.-based company also named former U.S. Democratic Party chairman and former Vermont governor Howard Dean along with Michael Steele, the former head of the U.S. Republican Party and ex Maryland lieutenant governor.

Tilray’s chief executive Brendan Kennedy says its international advisory board will guide the company on its rapidly expanding global business.

Many former politicians and political operatives have made a foray into the legal pot industry, with former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney recently joining prominent former U.S. politicians on the board of New York-based cannabis company Acreage Holdings.

Meanwhile, the number of countries legalizing pot for medical use continues to grow, with South Korea among the latest to give cannabis the green light.